Electric switch



s. RUPPEI.

ELECTRIC SWITCH Aus- 1, 1933.

Filed April 8, 1930 Patented Aug. `1, 1933 1,920,894 l amiamo swrrcn Sigwart Rappel, Frankfort-on-the-Main,

Application A pril 8, 1930, Serial No..442,534, and Germany May 24, 1929 5 Claims. (Cl. 200e-148) My invention relates to switches of the gasblast type in which the arc set up when the contacts separate is extinguished by meansof a blast of compressed gas, and more particularly 5 to such switchesin which one contact surrounds the other when the switch is closed.

A principal object of my invention is the provision of an improved circuit interrupter of the aforesaid type which is eflicient and reliable in operation and simple and rugged in construction.

In accordance with my invention when two or more of the sets of contacts a'e connected in series, they may be arranged 'inclined to each other so as to exhaust the hot arc gases in diverging directions upon interruption of the circuit. To this end the switch casings for the respective sets of contacts are relatively positioned so that the longitudinal axes thereof extend in divergingdirections with respect to the gas exhaust openings.

The sets of contacts are suitably electrically connected with each other as by means of a rigid conductor connecting the bearings of the movable contacts and sliding contacts to the actual contact member, or the contact members themselves may be directly connected by a flexible conductor.

In such switches a common centrally disposed driving mechanism may be provided for operating all the movable contacts operating in one phase and which may be connected to the said driving mechanism by means of guided connecting rods.

The single gure of the drawing is an elevational view, partly in section, oi' a double pole switch of the gas-blast type^embodying` a pre- Ierred form of my invention.

Th single figure of lthe drawing illustrates a switch of the gas-blast type in which two pairs of contacts for interrupting a circuit are' arranged in series, and the movable switch pins are moved out simultaneously by a single actuating mechanism. Two switch casings 1 comprising hollow insulating casings or sleeves are arranged on a'com'mon metal intermediate piece 60. The movable contacts 9, 9' which are guided for reciprocal movement at their lower ends in guides 61, are electrically connected with each other by a iiexible band 62 and are moved by the laterally disposed links 63 through arms 54. The levers 54 are driven from the switch member 55 by means of the links 56. The switch member 55 is guided on the pin 57 which is pivotally xed in a hinge 64 on the intermediate piece 60. 'I'he internal guiding ring of the intermediate piece has recesses 58 in which the levers 54 move in and out.

'I'he motion of the switch member 55 is effectedhy connecting rods 47 and anns 51 from the shaft 52 which is driven by the compressed gas drive which can be common to all three phases.

Accordingly, the hollowinsulating casings 1 60 form individual chambers at the outer ends of which the two arcs in series are interrupted.

As illustrated, the longitudinal axes of the insulating casings diverge with respect to the outer or arcing ends thereof, the operating mecha- 65 nism being disposed at the converging ends of the casings, so that when the switch is open, the movable rod contacts 9 and 9 having been withdrawn into their respective casings, the fixed or live contacts remain the maximum distance apart. Therefore, by arranging the individual s'witch casings in diverging relation, or in-line,

if desired, as at an angle of 180, it is possible to establish a safedistance between the stationary contacts with respect to the operating potential of the switch and to maintain this distance when the switch is open. A further consideration in arranging the switch casings in diverging relation is the-effect of the hot arcing gases in causing ashover or reestablishment of arcing after the circuit has been opened. By discharging the hot arc gases in diverging directions, threby effectively dissipating the same, the possibility of mingling of the gases from adjacent poles causing reestablishment of arcing is substantially precluded.

In the arrangement shown the stroke of the compressed gas driving mechanism need not be as great as that of the switch-pin as the movement is magnified at the levers 54. However, by omitting the levers 54 and links 56, the links 63 can be4 directly connected to the switch member 55. In this case the stroke Aof the driving mechanism would be approximately the same as that of the switch pin. Instead of eiecting the magnification by means of a lever,

a wheel gearing could be provided.

Thesupply of the compressed gas to the distributihg space of the intermediate piece 60 and to the inside of the switch, is effected through the insulating pipes 64 and 65. The intermediate piece 60 rests on a support 8 of insulating material, which is mounted on a frame common to all three phases. In the arrangement illustrated the switch member 55 with the linkage 105 and switch pins is driven by levers and connecting rods. Instead of this the switch member 55 may be insulated, extended downwardly and end directly in a. piston which is movable in a driving cylinder attached to the frame 53. In this case naturally each phase must have a separate driving mechanism. y

Instead of the electric connection of the mov able contacts 9 by a flexible conductor 62, the guides 61 may be formed as sliding contacts electrically connected with each other. In this arrangement also when the switch is open, the guides', switch-pins, actuating linkages and the like are not subject to the voltage, or are only charged to a small potential relatively to earth. All these parts are insulated from earth by the supporting body 8 and connecting rod 47 composed of insulating material.

It should be understood that my invention is not limited to specific details of construction and arrangement thereof herein illustrated, and that changes and modifications may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A double-pole circuit breaker of the gasblast type comprising two pairs of relatively movable contacts connected in series, each pair of contacts`including a stationary nozzle-like contact and a coacting rod contact, a pair of hollow insulating casings on each of which a stationary contact is mounted, said movable rod contacts extending longitudinally of and within said casings respectively, the interior of said casings arranged to be in communication with a source of high pressure gas so that upon separation of said contacts gas may be directed from said casings and through said nozzlelike.contacts to extinguish the arc, said casings being inclined inldiverging directions so that the arc gases at the.

connected in series, each pair of' contacts including a stationary nozzle-like contact and a coacting rod contact, a hollow insulating lcasing for each pair of contacts, the stationary contact being mounted at the outer end of the respective casing and the'coacting rod contact mounted for longitudinal movement within said casing, the axes of said casings diverging with respect to said f outer ends, operating mechanism common to said movable rod contacts disposed at the converging portion of said casings, and means electrically connecting said movable contacts.

4. A circuit breaker of the gas-blast type comprising two pairs of relatively movable contacts connected in series, a pair of hollow insulating casings each having a pair of contacts mounted for engagement at one end thereof, the longitudinal axes of said casings diverging at said ends, a metallic casing on which said insulating casings are mounted forming gas chambers in communication with said insulting casings, operating mechanism common to the movable contacts disposed at the converging ends of said casings and mounted in said metallic casing, and a hollow insulating shell on which said metallic casing is mounted.

5. A double pole circuit breaker of the gasblast type comprising two pairs of relatively movable contacts connected in series, each pair 105 of contacts including a stationary nozzle-like contact and a coacting rod contact, a pair of hollow insulating casings each having at its outer end a stationary contact, said movable rod contacts extending longitudinally of and 110 within said casings respectively, said casings being inclined in diverging directions with respect to said outer ends, and operating mechanism common to said rod contacts disposed at the converging ends of said casings including a pair of arms having a common xed pivot and operatively connected to said rod contacts respectively, a member guided for reciprocal movement, and a pair of links operatively connecting said member to said arms so that upon re- 120 ciprocal movement of said member said rod contacts are moved to circuit controlling positions.

SIGWART RUPPEL. 

